Samoan Prime Minister La’auli Leuatea Schmidt issued an apology after a newly surfaced 2007 video showed him leading a Nazi salute and shouting “Heil Hitler” at a family gathering in Savai‘i. The footage, first published by the Samoa Observer, captured the prime minister holding a microphone and instructing about a dozen attendees to raise their right hands during the event.
Samoa Prime Minister Apologizes for 2007 “Heil Hitler” Video
The seven-second video clip originated from a Schmidt family reunion held on the island of Savai‘i in July 2007, when Schmidt served as an MP and deputy speaker of parliament. The prime minister released a statement on Monday acknowledging that the words and gesture were inappropriate and capable of causing offense and hurt.
“Whatever the context or intention at that gathering twenty years ago, I recognise that those words and gesture were inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt and I apologise for using them,” Schmidt said in the government statement. He added that the footage recorded a private family gathering that was “not intended for the public.”
Historians and Academics Condemn the Resurfaced Footage
The publication of the clip drew immediate criticism from international scholars. Richard Evans, a historian of Nazi Germany, told the Samoa Observer by email that the footage was “shocking and disturbing,” noting that it remains troubling for any responsible politician to perform such a salute in the 21st century. University of Canterbury academic Anne-Marie Brady also told the local newspaper that Schmidt should explain and apologize for the recording.
Writing for the Samoa Observer, academic Roland Weber compared the incident to broader political trends involving strongman leaders who admire historical dictators as decisive figures. Weber noted that such figures often target the press, pointing out that Schmidt previously banned the Samoa Observer from all government press conferences over what he characterized as unfair reporting.
Israel Alliances and Political Context in Samoa
The controversy surrounds a leader who has made prominent public expressions of support for Israel since taking office as prime minister in 2025. Schmidt wore a Jewish prayer shawl at his swearing-in ceremony, where a shofar horn was sounded, and declared that Samoa would stand up for the holy land. He has also pledged to open a Samoan embassy in Jerusalem before the end of 2026, a diplomatic step taken by only a handful of countries.
In his Monday statement, Schmidt pushed back against any association with the ideology displayed in the recording. “I reject Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism,” he said, maintaining that the episode did not reflect his personal beliefs or the values of Samoa’s government and people.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Samoan Prime Minister’s Apology
When and where was the video recorded?
The footage was recorded in July 2007 during a Schmidt family reunion on Savai‘i, the largest island in Samoa, while Schmidt was serving as deputy speaker of parliament.
How did the video become public?
The Samoa Observer published the seven-second clip on Sunday after it was obtained from previously unseen material, prompting widespread coverage across regional and international outlets.
What diplomatic commitment has Schmidt made regarding Israel?
Schmidt has committed to opening a Samoan embassy in Jerusalem before the end of 2026, following strong public displays of support for Israel during his 2025 swearing-in ceremony.
What actions has the prime minister taken regarding the media outlet that broke the story?
Schmidt previously banned the Samoa Observer from all government press conferences over what he termed unfair reporting.
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